http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2019/10/18/red-dwarf-special-announced/
...Plus 3 new documentaries, and chance to get tix to see it being filmed.
Not sure it's the "first" feature length special, but so what?
As mixed as I've found the Dave series, I'm still stoked.
Well, Doug Naylor's always wanted a Red Dwarf movie - looks like he's finally going to get one. I'd probably just rather have another series, but maybe Doug can use the format to bring RD to a conclusion.
I'd rather have nothing. Red Dwarf was of it's time and was perfectly realised without the added series or anything new.
I still cringe at the AA adverts (although I'm assuming that the new series will be better written).
It's something I enjoyed immensely during it's original run but it's had it's day and then some.
Leave it be.
Any notion of Red Dwarf being perfectly realised in its original incarnation fell by the wayside after series VII and especially VIII. X, XI and XII have undoubtedly been inconsistent, and powered by a degree of nostalgia, but they've also been impressively ambitious and have produced episodes, like 'The Beginning' and 'Mechocracy', that are the equal of much of the classic stuff.
I think the most perfectly realised incarnation of Red Dwarf is the first book, 'Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers' personally! Though my favourite TV era is series 5-6. I even like a lot of the drama-comedy in 7 but understand why some don't.... unfortunately the awful series 8 was a bit of a reaction to that with the emphasis on jokes over plot.
I've enjoyed the Dave era for the most part (bar two or three bad episodes, but many very good ones) so I'm excited for it to come back and will try and get tix.
I'm ambivalent but cautiously optimistic. Later series have been a lot better, but the last time they went off-format we ended up with Welcome to Earth *shudder*
The TV broadcast was pretty terrible but I found the director's cut watchable. Plus it has some very emotionally satisfying character development, though again that obviously won't appeal to the fans who just want comedy.
Been reading Richard Naylor's twitter (Doug's son, RD producer) where he's been besieged by questions (most of which are 'Would you like some toast?') He's said they were offered the chance to do two back-to-back specials, but thought they'd just do one to see how it went, and that this doesn't preclude the possibility of a series XIII. He also said there were plans for Holly to be involved... but not which one.
Re: Back to Earth - agreed, seen in one go as a director's cut, I found it perfectly enjoyable. Craig is superb in it - he'd come a long way as an actor.
Quote from: MacabreMagpie on 18 October, 2019, 09:57:20 PMit has some very emotionally satisfying character development, though again that obviously won't appeal to the fans who just want comedy.
From a sitcom? Perish the thought.
I thought WTE was terrible, even in one go. It reminded me of the drama Red Dwarf but without the budget. I've enjoyed the Dave series. I'd sooner see another of those. Still, this is better than nothing.
A first look.
http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2020/01/24/first-look/ (http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2020/01/24/first-look/)
Are we finally seeing our first real, actual, non-Danny cat since 'Waiting for God'? Praise be to Naylor - we've been waiting 32 years for this!
Quote from: Greg M. on 08 February, 2020, 06:43:36 PM
Are we finally seeing our first real, actual, non-Danny cat since 'Waiting for God'? Praise be to Naylor - we've been waiting 32 years for this!
One of my favourite episodes. So much potential to be had from the cats.
There was another cat-based episode planned years ago that (if I recall) they didn't have the budget for in the end. But it was mocked up using storyboards on a previous DVD release. Here it is for those interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6zV699kIkY
With, inevitably, Chris Barrie doing all the voices. Worth it for that alone.
Official synopsis time! Looks good so far plus Norman Lovett is back as Holly.
http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2020/02/14/whats-it-all-about/ (http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2020/02/14/whats-it-all-about/)
Quote from: von Boom on 14 February, 2020, 02:21:55 PMplus Norman Lovett is back as Holly
Hmm. Given that he's been a massive prick about Red Dwarf on multiple occasions, it's curious that Hattie Hayridge continues to be so overlooked by the show. (Plus, her inclusion may have at least stopped it being an ongoing boys club. Oh well.)
Trailer's out!
https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2020-03-10/red-dwarf-13-special-trailer/ (https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2020-03-10/red-dwarf-13-special-trailer/)
Brace for impact indeed!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ES0W-zsXgAILtOf?format=jpg)
April 12 7PM.
That's a very weird trailer for Red Dwarf...
It's quite amusing that the writer of that RT article thinks Red Dwarf is "taking itself more seriously" rather than just releasing a teaser that takes the piss out of identikit sci-fi/superhero movie trailers.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 11 March, 2020, 03:56:21 PM
That's a very weird trailer for Red Dwarf...
It's done trailers with that sort of tone before (though this is just a teaser, I imagine a full trailer with arrive at some point), I seem to remember at least one of the last two had more of a focus on drama.
I don't mind it, to be honest. When it returned for series X, it was like they were scared to show anything other than "it's funny, we promise!!" and so it was just a collection of gags. Whereas my favourite type of Dwarf trailer is the one they released for series 8 (which, ironically, is one of my least favourite series) which in itself was obviously a parody:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4ySlaBZMC0
Full trailer and confirmed date, 9 April.
https://youtu.be/Q-YaZxZTl-E (https://youtu.be/Q-YaZxZTl-E)
First 5 mins:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F3luF0AUOgw
Quote from: karlos on 06 April, 2020, 03:40:57 PM
First 5 mins:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F3luF0AUOgw
Could've sworn it used to have scouse bloke and a robot in it.
I really enjoyed that.
So did I. I hope we get at least one more series.
A lot of big, silly fun. Almost a Red Dwarf pantomime at times, but also with a few poignant moments and some good jokes. Doug must have been overjoyed to finally [spoiler]get Rimmer in black and white, as had been the plan for series 1.[/spoiler] I wasn't that bothered about Holly's return beforehand, but Norman stole the show. I think he must have realised it himself - he could barely keep the smirk off his face whilst delivering the film's funniest lines and basking in the adulation of a hugely enthusiastic audience.
Bloody loved it. Forgot what was going on in the world for much of that two hours, which is no easy feat.
I appreciate how much they did with certain characters that felt like something fresh and new for them (Rimmer, Holly, Cat) rather than just retreading old jokes and it certainly felt like a worthy story to tell in this format.
And didn't it look and sound great, too?
I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, but it was undeniably good fun.
I wanted the arrival of new cats (for the first time ever!) to have a bit more weight to it, and for Cat to have a bit more of a role in proceedings - we never even find out how he feels about meeting his own people at last (granted, he's a shallow fecker, but the return of the cats was always going to be his big moment to shine, and he was weirdly sidelined throughout). Maybe a bit less Rimmer would have allowed for that.
After the disappointment with Picard, it was wonderful to see Red Dwarf stay true to itself. The special started out strong and while there were a couple of wobbles it worked wonderfully. I chuckled and smiled pretty much throughout with a couple of genuine gutbusters.
My biggest disappointment would have to be with [spoiler]Lister's refusal to tell Rimmer that he liked him. Although Kryten's response to the question was priceless.[/spoiler]
With everything that's happening in the world, it was a marvellous way to feel a sense of normalcy for a couple of hours. I will be watching this again very soon.
Isn't Lister's response [spoiler]a lot more meaningful and true though? He goes beyond 'I like you' into 'I need you' and confirms the co-dependent nature of their relationship. [/spoiler]
I really enjoyed the original Holly back ( my fav episode was his April fool in "Queeg" (season 2)
Overall an enjoyable watch and quite a few laughs. 👍🏻
Quote from: Greg M. on 10 April, 2020, 05:09:26 PM
Isn't Lister's response [spoiler]a lot more meaningful and true though? He goes beyond 'I like you' into 'I need you' and confirms the co-dependent nature of their relationship. [/spoiler]
That is one way to look at it, [spoiler]but after Cat made Rimmer doubt his existence and consider suicide I felt he needed to hear it.[/spoiler]
I do know what you mean [spoiler]- part of me was asking Lister 'After all these years, can't you just say it?' - but I'd just watched Terrorform the day previously, and the touching nature of The Promised Land's 'moonlight' scene stood in sharp contrast to the callous nature of the 'No!' that ends said episode. In that context, it seemed that Promised Land Lister gives Rimmer something more valuable than a mere 'like' - he gives him a reason to keep going.[/spoiler]
Quote from: Greg M. on 10 April, 2020, 06:23:01 PM
I do know what you mean [spoiler]- part of me was asking Lister 'After all these years, can't you just say it?' - but I'd just watched Terrorform the day previously, and the touching nature of The Promised Land's 'moonlight' scene stood in sharp contrast to the callous nature of the 'No!' that ends said episode. In that context, it seemed that Promised Land Lister gives Rimmer something more valuable than a mere 'like' - he gives him a reason to keep going.[/spoiler]
I can't argue with that.
Anubis does not have the head of a cat. That would be Bastet/Bast.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 10 April, 2020, 08:43:02 PM
Anubis does not have the head of a cat. That would be Bastet/Bast.
Glad it wasn't just me! What a terrible error to make, specially when Bast is funnier!
It has been suggested (on the excellent Ganymede & Titan podcast reaction) that it was consciously fudged a bit because "Anubis Stone" reads better to a layman than "Bastet Stone". Not official but plausible.
Apparently, there was a scene where the clerics stole the Anubis stone that explained everything but was never shot.
https://twitter.com/RichardDGNaylor/status/1249002076866318337?s=19 (https://twitter.com/RichardDGNaylor/status/1249002076866318337?s=19)
I dunno, I enjoyed it but it really felt like a few episodes worth of ideas, mashed together without being fully formed.
[spoiler]The whole Holly subplot could have been it's own episode, as could the Rimmer diamond light thing.
The main plot was woefully underdeveloped, especially considering it was the Cat episode we've been promised since series 7 (I think). AND the main baddie was Cat's brother?! Definitely needed more screen time, and a bigger role for Cat.
The retcon-ing of the timing regarding cat society leaving Red Dwarf (Cat himself was supposed to be the son of 'the cripple and the idiot', left behind after the rest of them left), and the whole Cloister thing irked a bit too*.[/spoiler]
Still mostly enjoyed it though, mainly for the performances of the main cast - they can handle any material :)
*(I know, I'm asking for continuity in Red Dwarf.... I'm a fool!)
Quote from: Woolly on 12 April, 2020, 12:17:13 AM
The retcon-ing of the timing regarding cat society leaving Red Dwarf (Cat himself was supposed to be the son of 'the cripple and the idiot', left behind after the rest of them left), and the whole Cloister thing irked a bit too. [/spoiler]
Not to mention the fact that the crew spent 200 years in stasis between series V and VI! So how is Rodon Cat's brother...?
Quote from: Mattofthespurs on 18 October, 2019, 04:05:23 PM
I still cringe at the AA adverts (although I'm assuming that the new series will be better written).
Alcoholics Anonymous? Te amount Lister was drinking at the beginning, I wouldn't be surprised.
Quote from: Dark Jimbo on 12 April, 2020, 01:30:03 PM
Quote from: Woolly on 12 April, 2020, 12:17:13 AM
The retcon-ing of the timing regarding cat society leaving Red Dwarf (Cat himself was supposed to be the son of 'the cripple and the idiot', left behind after the rest of them left), and the whole Cloister thing irked a bit too. [/spoiler]
Not to mention the fact that the crew spent 200 years in stasis between series V and VI! So how is Rodon Cat's brother...?
Damage to the space-time continuum between series VI and VII, explaining virtually all Red Dwarf continuity errors.
Or: Rodon also spent some time in stasis.
Yeah the stasis thing doesn't bother me, it's not like the cat race wouldn't have access to that tech if they're capable of building spaceships.
Besides which, I think holding modern Dwarf to a standard of continuity higher than the era of the show it's often negatively compared against is a little unfair. (Though it is of course fun to discuss!)
Don't know what you mean - loads of people have their appendix out. Twice (https://reddwarf.fandom.com/wiki/Continuity_Errors).
That error was easy to solve though - 'DNA' does it for you. The hardest 'error' to do anything with is the changing nature of Lister's relationship with Kochanski, which was a deliberate choice by Rob and Doug, and not a mistake.
Now available smeg-ups (https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/red-dwarf-special-smeg-ups/watch-online/6146796135001), deleted scenes (https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/red-dwarf-special-deleted-scenes/watch-online) and making-of doc (https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/red-dwarf-special-the-promised-doc/watch-online).
Anyone else feeling like this might have been the last outing for the Boys From The Dwarf, given current circumstances? Not out of the question that there could be more, by any means, but I can certainly envisage it being the case.
That is certainly a possibility. I do hope we get one more series at least, but if it is the last it wasn't the worst way to end.
https://www.cbr.com/red-dwarf-writer-would-love-more-specials
I'm talking more circumstances than desire to do more.
Quote from: karlos on 18 April, 2020, 10:50:32 AM
https://www.cbr.com/red-dwarf-writer-would-love-more-specials
I think they really need to consider an ending, even if they don't want to stop the gravy train just yet.
Or at least, bring Kochanski back.
Quote from: Jimmy Baker's Assistant on 18 April, 2020, 09:01:15 PM
I think they really need to consider an ending, even if they don't want to stop the gravy train just yet.
Or at least, bring Kochanski back.
Only if they make it Clare Grogan.
But you're right - they should have a final episode in mind, even if Doug seems ideologically opposed to such a thing.
Kochanski would have to be Chloe, for me. I think the stuff around her appearance in Back To Earth was truly great so she's earned it.
Quote from: MacabreMagpie on 19 April, 2020, 12:47:32 PM
Kochanski would have to be Chloe, for me. I think the stuff around her appearance in Back To Earth was truly great so she's earned it.
Yes. I don't think the actress was ever bad. She irritated fans in series 7 but that was more to do with the character than the actress. I personally didn't have an issue with the character then either. Her reaction made sense concerning the situation she found herself. I think it was the fact that the beloved Rimmer had left the series was as much a factor. She was much more likeable in Series 8 however, although I liked the series as a whole less.
I think many also disliked her because they see her as characteristically very different from Claire Grogan's character, but in the case of Grogan she didn't appear enough or have enough lines for there to really
be a character. (No criticism intended of her.) Kochanski is also a major character in the Red Dwarf novel 'Last Human' and aside from being sympathetic to the lads, she is pretty similar to Chloe Annett's portrayal of the slightly posh officer lady. That was written before series 7.
And yeah, she was great in Back to Earth.
Just saw via G&T that Norman has been ill with the virus, currently recovering. Here's hoping that goes as smoothly and quickly as possible for him.